Automotive Urea – Specifications, Standards & Buyer’s Guide
What is Automotive Urea?
Automotive Urea is a highly purified urea designed exclusively for producing AdBlue (DEF, AUS 32). Unlike agricultural or industrial grades, this high-purity urea follows the strict ISO 22241 standard. It is typically supplied in prilled form and later dissolved in deionized water. As a result, the final solution is safe for use in diesel engines with SCR systems, where it helps reduce harmful NOx emissions.
Why Agricultural or Industrial Urea Cannot Be Used
All types of urea share the same chemical formula, yet their quality differs significantly. Agricultural urea often contains up to 1.5% biuret, aldehydes, or anti-caking agents such as formaldehyde. Therefore, using it in DEF would damage catalysts. Industrial urea is even less suitable, since it is frequently modified for resins or adhesives. For this reason, only DEF grade urea with extremely low biuret and no additives can be used in SCR systems.
Automotive Urea Specifications (ISO 22241)
According to ISO 22241, AdBlue urea must meet very strict requirements:
| Parameter | ISO 22241 Automotive Urea |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen content | 46% minimum |
| Biuret | ≤ 0.3% |
| Moisture | ≤ 0.5% |
| Aldehydes | ≤ 5 mg/kg |
| Insoluble matter | ≤ 20 mg/kg |
| Heavy metals | ≤ 0.5 ppm each |
| Appearance | White, odorless, prilled |
In addition, these standards ensure that the final solution remains clear and stable, preventing injector blockages or catalyst failures.
Difference Between Granular Urea, Prilled Urea, and Automotive Urea
Granular Urea: Larger particles, stable in storage, but unsuitable for DEF.
Prilled Urea: Smaller, dissolves quickly, mainly for agriculture.
Automotive Urea (ISO 22241): Specially refined prills, low biuret, and minimal impurities, produced only as a feedstock for AdBlue.
Consequently, even though all three types are chemically similar, only ISO 22241 urea meets emission-control requirements.
Applications of Automotive Urea
The only application of this AUS 32 feedstock is AdBlue production. Inside SCR systems:
Urea solution decomposes into ammonia.
Ammonia reacts with nitrogen oxides.
Therefore, harmful NOx gases are converted into harmless nitrogen and water vapor.
As a result, vehicles equipped with DEF systems reduce NOx emissions by up to 90% and comply with Euro 6 and EPA regulations.
Packaging and Storage
Automotive-grade urea is normally offered in:
50 kg polyethylene bags
500–1000 kg jumbo bags
Bulk shipments for large producers
Besides this, the product must be stored in dry and ventilated conditions. Exposure to humidity leads to caking, which reduces solubility.
Automotive Urea Price and Supply
Prices for DEF grade urea fluctuate due to:
Global fertilizer market movements
Natural gas feedstock prices
Packaging and logistics costs
Therefore, it is not practical to publish fixed prices. Buyers should always request fresh quotations. For certified quality and reliable delivery, Basekim offers automotive urea with SGS inspection and international logistics support.